Back for upright pianos.



R 0 I m V m m W a PM PATENTED AUG. 1, 1905.

F. DENNINGER. BACK FOB UPRIGHT PIANOS,

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 6. 1904.

I I l I lullllllliL llllll WITNESSES:

LPHMHH HHHH uunun HM W6? N ATTORNEY ANDREW a. GRAHAM 00.. wuovwumamavnans, WASMHGYON. n. c.

UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 1, 1905.

Application filed August 6, 1904-. Serial No. 219,764.

To all (U/M171), 1'1 'llut l concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK DENNINGER, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Backs for Upright Pianos, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a construction by i which backs for pianos can be made cheaper or with less expenditure of time and labor.

The invention is set forth in the following specification and claims and illustrated in the annexed drawings, in which Figure 1 is a rear elevation of a back embodying this invention. Fig. 2 is a section along :r :v, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a section along y y, Fig. 1. Fig. dis a section along .2 .2, Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a face view of a stileor post. Fig. 6 is a side elevation, partly in section or broken, of a stile or post.

Referring to the drawings by reference characters, the piano-back comprises a top bar a and a bottom bar 6. These bars are continuous or extend unbrokenly across the width of the structure. Interposed between the bars a and-Z) and arranged a suitable distance apart are the brace members 0, which have dowel connections, as at cl, with the top and bottom bars a and b. The brace member 0, as shown in Fig. 6, has three dowels; but this construction can be varied, if desired.

The bar a is provided with an offset or raised edge projecting beyond the face 0. Against the raised edge or offset of the bar a and over the depressed face e is arranged the top of the sounding-board f. The bar 6 has an offset against which the bottom of the sounding-board f abuts, as shown in Fig. 2. The outer of the brace members 0 are of much greater thickness than the intermediate brace members, so that the said outer brace members, against which the sounding-board is placed, will hold the sounding-board clear of the intermediate brace members, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4t. The sounding-board f is free or clear except where it is supported on the offset of the bar a, the bar 7), and the outer of the brace members. Therefore the sounding-board can vibrate or perform its function without any interference.

Each of the brace members 0, as shown in Figs. L and 5, is constructed of two side sections 0 the back section 0', and the intermediate sections 0. The side sections 0 are glued or otherwise secured to the back section 0, and the intermediate sections 0 are inserted in the space between the side sections and suitably connected in position. As shown, the intermediate sections do not extend the entire length of the side sections 0 thereby forming the brace members with an opening. This opening can be omitted; but it is found that it possesses this advantage, that it gives an echo or pleasant quality to the instrument.

The bottom bar Z) is also preferably con-.

structed of a plurality of sections suitably connected together. To form the offset for the support for the bottom edge of the sounding-board, one of the sectionsthat is. the outer sectionis of less height or breadth than the other sections.

The foregoing structure enables small or thin strips of wood to be advantageously utilized and can be set up very rapidly and at the same time is comparatively inexpensive.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A piano back having brace members, each constructed of a back section, a pair of side sections suitably connected thereto, and intermediate sections connected with the other of said sections, said intermediate sections extending only part of the length of the brace member so as to form a cavity in said member.

2. A piano-back comprising top and bottom bars, brace members interposed between said bars and each having a cavity in one face thereof, and dowels carried by the brace members and engaging in the bars for connecting the brace members thereto.

3. A piano-back comprising top and bottom bars, brace members interposed between said bars and each having a cavity in one face thereof, and dowels carried by the brace members and engaging in the bars for connecting the brace members thereto, the outer of said brace members of greater thickness than the intermediate brace members so as to hold the soundingboard clear of said intermediate brace members.

4. A back for pianos comprising top and bottom bars, brace members interposed between said bars, each having one of its faces inclined and further provided with a cavity, and dowels carried bythe brace members and engaging in said bars-for connecting the brace members thereto.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK DENNING-ER.

WVitnesses:

W. C. HAUFF, GEORGE HULsBERe. 

